Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has voiced outrage over the kidnapping of former Minister Bayo Adelabu’s sister and her twin children in Ibadan, Oyo State. The abduction, which occurred amid a wave of similar attacks across Nigeria, has reignited fierce criticism of the government’s handling of national security. Atiku described the incident as a damning indictment of the country’s worsening crisis, calling for immediate and decisive action to rescue the victims and stem the tide of lawlessness. Security agencies are now scrambling for leads as the family remains in captivity.
In a separate but related development, the Nigeria Labour Congress has thrown its weight behind a nationwide teachers’ strike, demanding the safe return of abducted pupils and educators. The strike, which has shut down schools in several states, underscores growing frustration over the government’s inability to protect its citizens. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has urged federal intervention following a deadly clash between the Karinjo and Wurkun communities in Taraba State, which left five dead and many displaced. Lawmakers also demanded the immediate rescue of worshippers abducted in Ekiti and justice for a slain pastor.
On the international front, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Washington remains committed to counterterrorism cooperation with Nigeria, citing a joint operation that eliminated a top ISIS leader. This comes as Nigeria’s capital importation surged to $10.37 billion in the first quarter of 2026—an 83.83% jump driven by renewed foreign investor interest, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
In a landmark legal victory, four members of the Al-Shabaab militant group received death sentences for their role in the 2022 Owo church massacre, which killed over 40 worshippers. Ondo Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the Olowo of Owo praised the judiciary for the ruling, calling it a step toward justice. However, the Christian Association of Nigeria has declared a three-day national mourning period and demanded a state of emergency on security, citing escalating violence nationwide.
Other notable stories include the House of Representatives advising veteran boxer Bash Ali to seek private funding for his Guinness World Record dream, and the Nigeria Customs Service warning the public against fake recruitment screening schedules circulating online. In education, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education warned that neglecting teacher training could cripple the nation’s future.
